There was a time when the Arnotts logo was as synonymous with Dublin GAA as the county crest itself. When the GAA first opened the door to commercial sponsorship on county jerseys in the early 1990s, Arnotts became one of the pioneering brands to step forward, beginning an 18-year association with Dublin that ran from 1991 until 2009.
The sponsorship began during one of the most memorable summers in Gaelic football history, with the Arnotts name appearing on the Dublin jersey during the famous four-game Leinster Championship saga against Meath in 1991. Over the following two decades, the department store’s branding became a familiar presence across both football and hurling, helping establish one of the longest-running and most recognisable county sponsorships in the GAA.
Now, the iconic retailer is once again strengthening its ties with Irish sport through a new partnership with one of the country’s most prestigious amateur golf championships.
Arnotts has today announced its headline sponsorship of the East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship, which will take place at County Louth Golf Club from May 29–31.
The partnership also marks the official launch of Golf at Arnotts, a renewed focus on premium golf apparel, lifestyle and in-store experience that reconnects the retailer with a long-standing golfing tradition.
Founded in 1843, Arnotts was once home to one of Dublin city’s largest golf departments during the 1990s, becoming a destination store for golfers from across Ireland. The new initiative aims to revive that legacy for a modern golfing audience.
The East of Ireland Championship, staged annually on the renowned Baltray links, is regarded as one of the most storied events in Irish amateur golf. Over the decades, it has attracted many of the game’s leading talents, including past competitors and champions.
Among the most celebrated winners is the legendary Joe Carr, who claimed the title multiple times across the 1940s, 50s and 60s and remains one of the defining figures in Irish amateur golf. Darren Clarke also captured the title in 1989 before going on to Major success and Ryder Cup glory.
As part of the broader Golf at Arnotts campaign, the store will feature a dedicated in-store golf destination and a curated range of premium golf apparel brands, including Peter Millar and RLX Ralph Lauren Golf. From June, McGuirks Golf will also join the offering, further strengthening Arnotts’ position as a golf retail destination.
Alma Hanley, General Manager of Arnotts
“Golf has long been an important part of the Arnotts heritage,” said Alma Hanley, General Manager of Arnotts.
“Alongside our leading golf fashion brands, we are delighted to be opening a new dedicated golf shop this July in partnership with McGuirks Golf, as we continue to enhance our offering for customers and golf enthusiasts alike.”
“Our headline sponsorship of the East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship reflects Arnotts’ long-standing commitment to Irish sport and our association with one of the country’s most respected amateur tournaments. We are proud to support this year’s championship and to play a part in celebrating the sport and its enduring appeal.”
The 2026 East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship will take place at County Louth Golf Club in Baltray from May 29–31.
With AIG already a major supporter of Golf Ireland and the amateur game, and with a similar long history of Dublin GAA backing, the links between the two carry a nostalgia for those players and supporters with a long history themselves across both sports, and will perhaps encourage a walk down memory lane on Henry Street.
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